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Today is the official first day of fall. The signs of summer’s end have been around for a while now though. The days are shorter, the air is crisper, leaves are turning and falling from the trees. As sad as I am to see summer end, autumn has always seemed like the season of change for me. A time for new beginnings.

As the Roman philosopher, Seneca The Younger said (…or maybe it was the 90’s band, Semisonic…), “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

So before we completely close the door on summer and celebrate a new beginning, here’s one last look at some of Summer 2014’s finest moments.

As soon as the kids were out of school, we kicked off summer with a trip to the Water Color and Seaside on the Gulf of Mexico. These white sands and emerald waters will always feel like home.

Smile.

Familiar walk in Seaside.

Summer Concert Series at the Seaside Amphitheater with live music from The Dirty Guv’nahs

Soaking in the view of Nantucket harbor before dinner.

Madaket…everyone’s favorite beach!

Great Point Light

Summer memories being made with the best of friends.

Company of the Cauldron

Auld Lang Syne in ‘Sconset is one of the oldest (and sweetest) houses on Nantucket and was built around 1675.

Tomorrow is the first of March which means we are twenty days away from the vernal equinox–the first day of spring. Not that anyone is counting. And not that Mother Nature cares. As we face another weekend of snow, my friends and I are wondering whether we will ever surface from this endless winter.

I miss color. I crave green grass and bright blue skies. I want to see a vibrant color palette pop with the arrival of tulips, crocuses, daffodils and forsythia.

As I was looking out the window today at nature’s still white canvas, searching for any sign of the coming season, I thought about camellias. In my mind I could see the iconic Southern blooms in a million shades of pink, white and red weighing down their lush evergreen branches. They could brighten even the dreariest of days.

Curious as to whether the cold-weather bloomer might be found in the Northeast, I Googled the camellia. Originally from Japan, these blooms made their way to Charleston in the 18th century and for hundreds of years, camellias thrived in Southern climates. But much to my surprise, I found they also had a home in New England for just as long. I had no idea the flower could survive north of the Mason-Dixon line. But thanks to greenhouses and devoted caretakers, they do. There is even a Massachusetts Camellia Society. Who knew? The Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA has been growing varieties of camellias in their greenhouses since the 1800s. Many of the Lyman camellias are over 100 years old. And across the Long Island Sound from my house, the Planting Fields Foundation has the largest collection of camellias under glass in the Northeast. Who knows, with the cultivation of hardy hybrids and new growing techniques, I might even be able to have a touch of the South in my garden next winter.

But until then, I have to remember spring will eventually make its way back to us and green sprouts will push their way up through the frozen ground. Tom Petty was right that the waiting is the hardest part, but there are few things more anticipated and appreciated than the first signs of spring in New England.

To help pass the time until those happy days wander our way, my friend Evelyn was sweet enough to shoot some pictures of gorgeous camellia blooms around Northwest Florida and sent them to me. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

I love it when I stumble across creations that fall right in the heart of southXnortheast. Daily Candy recently showcased this collection of adorable preppy canvas bags made right up the road in Massachusetts.

The brother-sister team at Lucy’s Canvas is doing great work while keeping it all in the family by carrying their mom’s craftwork into the 21st Century. Whether in the Disco Days of the 1970s or the vintage revival of 2000’s, these bags are always in style.

Lucy’s Canvas nostalgic bags appeal to the 80’s prep in me but also transcend generations by drawing in customers like my 10 year old daughter, Kate, whose favorite bag is Purple Passion.

This awesome “dream team” product not only spans eras: its handiwork crosses into my two favorite regions. Their bags are made with canvas from Big Duck Canvas out of Winder, GA and the webbing comes from All Island Webbing in Huntington Station, NY. And all bags are made by hand in Everett, MA. It is truly a SXNE creation that is perfect for a day on the beach or a day around town!